Why I'm Letting Go of Roe v. Wade on What Would Be Its 50th Anniversary

Alexis McGill Johnson marches for abortion rights after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

In this op-ed, Alexis McGill Johnson, Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, explores how Roe v. Wade was never enough, and what she hopes comes next in the fight for reproductive rights. Este artículo también está disponible en español.

Do you remember where you were on June 24, 2022? I do. That day, the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion in the United States. As soon as the news dropped, my 13-year-old daughter texted me. She was on her way to camp in Maine, but she told me how sad she felt, and how she and her friends had committed right there on I-95 to keep fighting. Two days later, my 10-year-old daughter stood by my side as we led the Pride March in New York City. More than 30,000 people lined the parade route, and when they saw us coming down the street, the crowd erupted in an ear-splitting cheer. 

My daughters’ reaction to the overturn of Roe gave me hope after what was a hard day for me and millions of Americans. My generation was the first to reap the benefits of the constitutional right to abortion and the fight that came before. To be completely honest, many of us might have been a little complacent in believing that right would always be there, despite decades of opposition and challenges. 

 President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Alexis McGill Johnson marching after Roe v. Wade was overturned with sign saying "protect safe, legal abortion"
“Como dirían nuestras organizaciones asociadas en materia de reproducción, la sentencia Roe fue el piso, tenemos que llegar hasta el techo.”

This is what the loss of Roe means: Over a third of women in the U.S. — and more trans men and nonbinary people — no longer have access to abortion. Without that federal protection, more states will introduce anti-abortion legislation in 2023. The truth is, Roe was necessary, but it was never grounded in equality. It never actually guaranteed that people could get an abortion. Hurdles like distance, money, time off of work, and other restrictions have stood in the way of people’s health for over 50 years. The heartache of losing Roe is one that many people have been feeling for a generation. 

Image of person looking toward the sun with text: " Trans Bodies, Trans Choices"
“This issue is not merely philosophical for our community."

But I’m letting go of Roe, because I’m betting on better for generations to come. Young people know that movements are never settled. Despite a decades-long fight for reproductive freedom, you are growing up with fewer reproductive rights and voting rights than your grandparents and parents. We’ve seen this cycle before: When people have their rights stripped away, they get sad, they get mad, and then they get back out there and fight. 

As our reproductive justice partners would say, Roe was the floor, we need to get to the ceiling. We must continue to fight until access to safe and legal abortion is a reality for everyone, no exceptions. We must fight for accessible reproductive health care and for sex education that is free of stigma and shame. What’s more, we have to make sure our rights don’t ebb and flow with every election cycle. Without the framework of Roe, we can advocate for the ceiling as we write ourselves back into the Constitution. 

It’s certainly not fair that yet another social justice burden is falling on young people’s shoulders, but this is one that will take years to win. Older generations will fight alongside you, but there is much to learn from youth activists already leading the movement. I’m so inspired by what is happening right now with advocates like Olivia Julianna, Chelsea Miller,  Nialah Edari from Freedom March NYC, Deja Foxx, and Lynae Vanee. Rockstars like these are exactly what this movement needs.

Their efforts, and efforts from people like you, are already winning some big payoffs. Just look at the 2022 election, which saw an amazing turnout from Gen Z folks. Nearly 90% of Black Gen Z voters and 68% of Latino voters supported candidates who stood for abortion rights. Voters affirmed support for reproductive freedom in Kansas, Michigan, Kentucky, California, Vermont, and Montana.

The fight for reproductive freedom means everyone needs to be onboard. Have conversations with parents, grandparents, and friends about how they’re voting, and how their vote affects you. Lawmakers, prosecutors, and state courts have the ability to make health care decisions for you now. Educate yourself, and not just on abortion issues. You need to know where political candidates stand on banning books on schools, trans care, gun control, and whether your teacher can say “gay” in school. Use your voice and talk to those around you. 

Want to do more? Get involved with your local Planned Parenthood Action Council or text MOBILIZE to 22422 to join up with Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations. When you become a volunteer with Planned Parenthood Action Fund, we'll connect you with a steady stream of resources, training, and anything else you need to help defeat anti-reproductive laws. You can choose how you want to help, whenever you have time. 

I’d always hoped I was raising fierce, badass girls ready to take up the baton of leadership. As difficult as June 24 was, my daughters showed me a fighting spirit that is not going to back down. Their resistance to what happened last summer meant one thing: The Supreme Court is not going to get the last word on abortion access. The people — people just like you, just like my daughters — are going to get the final say. 

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Related: How the Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade Left Many Youth Behind